Latest news with #NigelHamilton
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
We will have justice – infected blood victims speak out as inquiry reopens
People given infected blood and blood products in one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history have said they will 'have justice' as hearings reopened into the scandal. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to examine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation'. Campaigners have voiced concerns surrounding the compensation scheme, which was announced last year, with some victims saying they fear they will not live to receive their payout. Groups representing people infected and affected by the scandal and people infected themselves are giving evidence on Wednesday morning. Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood and who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said: 'We have around 2,100 members, all of whom are in a desperate state at the moment since the announcement of the Government's compensation package and things that have unfolded since.' Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'I started off as a haemophiliac from birth. I had a liver transplant as a result of hepatitis C in 2018. 'I lost a twin brother Christmas day just over a year ago and I have several cousins I have also lost within the family. 'I believe in justice. I believe we have to be here today, thanks to the public inquiry and Sir Brian to ensure that we get the opportunity to repeat that we need justice. 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' Alan Burgess, a campaigner who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said: 'I can't believe we are back here today.' When asked about the quality of engagement from the Cabinet Office and the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), Mr Burgess said: 'I'd like to say that they engaged with us, but they didn't. 'They talked down to us. They were condescending. They had a scripted answer for everything we had. 'To be honest with you, it's almost a waste of time being there. You know, they weren't going to take any notice of what we said.' Mr Burgess said he told IBCA and the Cabinet Office that the mental states of the infected and affected were 'shocking' and it was 'disgraceful, immoral, scandalous, contemptible' for them to in discussions about compensation after 12 months. He also told the hearing victims were dying while the process was ongoing, with one of his friends dying just weeks ago. 'There's people dying without seeing this compensation paid. I didn't expect any sympathy, but we didn't even get any empathy,' Mr Burgess said. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. Campaigner Carolyn Challis, known as Caz, was infected with hepatitis C when she received blood transfusions during chemotherapy treatment for lymphatic cancer between 1992 and 1993. The mother-of-three from North Devon said: 'We feel gaslit, marginalised and abused by successive governments that purport to care, but evidently do not. 'We're suffering from sustained trauma. We should not still be fighting.' Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has been called to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon while Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) officials will be quizzed by inquiry lawyers on Thursday. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. As of April 24, some 475 people have been invited to make a claim and 77 payments have been made totalling more than £78 million, according to IBCA figures. Opening the hearing, Sir Brian said: 'The decision to hold these further hearings was not taken lightly. 'It is no secret that the Inquiry has received letter after letter, email after email, call after call expressing worries and concerns about how compensation is being delivered. 'The slowness and uncertainty about when someone might expect to receive compensation are central kernels. They are not however the only ones. These matters need to be explored in public.' He added: 'The Inquiry will do everything in its power to identify action that can be taken by the Government and by the infected blood in compensation authority to improve the delivery of compensation and to ensure that justice is done. Sir Brian said that the number of those infected and affected who were in attendance at the hearings 'demonstrate that the complaints, worries, distress and frustrations that have been expressed to us are not just those of an outspoken few'.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Infected blood compensation process created 'tier of victimhood'
A man, from Northern Ireland, who contracted hepatitis C has told the Infected Blood Inquiry the compensation process created a tier of victimhood which is "immoral, corrupt and unacceptable". Nigel Hamilton, who is also chairman of Haemophilia NI, received contaminated blood products during an operation in the 1970s. He gave evidence to the inquiry amid concerns around the government's compensation process for victims. His twin brother Simon, who died on Christmas Day in 2023, also contracted Hepatitis C after being given contaminated transfusions. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. In August 2022, the government announced that 4,000 UK victims would receive interim payments of £100,000, including about 100 in Northern Ireland. But campaigners and victims have since contacted the inquiry with concerns about the way compensation is being implemented, and how long the process is taking. Mr Hamilton has received his compensation but wants to remain involved in the process to ensure that everyone gets justice. 'A process of delay' Nigel Hamilton with his late brother Simon, who were both infected after receiving contaminated blood products [BBC] Giving evidence, Mr Hamilton thanked the inquiry and its chair for the "opportunity to repeat that we need justice". He was questioned by chief counsel to the Inquiry, Jenni Richards KC about the delay of compensation and its impact upon those in Northern Ireland. Mr Hamilton said it was "not only in Northern Ireland" but that it impacted people "right across the board". In addressing the inquiry's recommendations, he said "the outcome that has taken place is not how it was meant to be". "The issue should be dealt with and should have been dealt with efficiency and in collaboration with victims. "That's how it should have been. "There's been a process of delay brought about by exclusion," he said. 'Really anxious' He explained the "big anxiety that people feel" is the lack of direct consultation and that "victims don't know when they're going to be involved in this process". "Their anxiety rises. Their fear and feeling of resentment and rejection rises," he said. Mr Hamilton described the emotional, psychological, and financial impact of the process as "cruel, and the torture continues" and it needed properly addressed and resolved. "My own personal feeling, while I have received compensation, is that it is critical that we widen the aperture of the funnel and get as many people in as possible to ensure that justice is done and that answers are given," he said. Mr Hamilton concluded his evidence by telling the Inquiry that in his opinion, he said: "The simple issue here is the money was supposed to be provided. Put the money where the mouth is and get it done." 'Far too long' Campaigners gathered in London in July 2023 [PA Media] Earlier, Mr Hamilton told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that the need to deliver compensation payments is "paramount". "We've already lost a number of people. I've lost a twin brother, two cousins, several friends, one more recently, in the last few months and this is an injustice to them." "It does not provide for them the opportunity to see closure and they have lost out in this process which has just simply taken far too long," he added. 'It's not over for me' "People need the justice that they are entitled to. We have faced a long time in getting justice," he said. The "reluctance" for the process to "move forward at pace" is "frustrating", he said. "Justice is justice. It must be delivered – and it must be delivered now." Mr Hamilton's compensation process took about five weeks and he said it was not straightforward, so he wants to ensure it progresses for others. "My objective for staying in this process, rather than taking my money and running, is that I want to see justice for all other victims." "I'm now in a situation where I am through this process – but it's not over for me – I want justice for everyone," Mr Hamilton said.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Infected Blood Inquiry: Victim wants 'justice for everyone"
Infected blood victim wants 'justice for everyone' 9 minutes ago Share Save Bernie Allen & Faye Kidd BBC News NI Share Save BBC Nigel Hamilton is the Chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland and has already received his compensation The chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland has said that he "wants justice for everyone" affected by the infected blood scandal in Northern Ireland. Nigel Hamilton is giving evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry amid concerns around the compensation process for victims. Mr Hamilton contracted hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products during an operation in the 1970s. His twin brother Simon, who died on Christmas Day in 2023, also contracted Hepatitis C after being given contaminated transfusions. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. In August 2022, the government announced that 4,000 UK victims would receive interim payments of £100,000, including about 100 in Northern Ireland. But campaigners and victims have since contacted the inquiry with concerns about the way compensation is being implemented, and how long the process is taking. Mr Hamilton has received his compensation but wants to remain involved in the process to ensure that everyone gets justice. 'It's not over for me' Nigel Hamilton with his late brother Simon, who were both infected after receiving contaminated blood products Nigel Hamilton said he received contaminated blood during an operation in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in the 1970s. "People need the justice that they are entitled to. We have faced a long time in getting justice," he said. The "reluctance" for the process to "move forward at pace" is "frustrating", he said. "Justice is justice. It must be delivered – and it must be delivered now." "The longer this goes on the more pain, angst, anxiety - and financial, mental, and emotional trauma - exists." Mr Hamilton's compensation process took about five weeks and he said it was not straightforward, so he wants to ensure it progresses for others. "My objective for staying in this process, rather than taking my money and running, is that I want to see justice for all other victims." "I'm now in a situation where I am through this process – but it's not over for me – I want justice for everyone," Mr Hamilton said. 'People in the dark' Nigel Hamilton told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that the need to deliver compensation payments is "paramount". "We've already lost a number of people. I've lost a twin brother, two cousins, several friends, one more recently, in the last few months and this is an injustice to them." "It does not provide for them the opportunity to see closure and they have lost out in this process which has just simply taken far too long," he added. Getty Images Nigel Hamilton says there is a lack of transparency about the claims process for victims
